SAP Launches Veterans to Work Program to Train U.S. Veterans in IT

SAP NEWSBYTE - November 27, 2012 | SAP - Database Technology

To alleviate the shortage of highly skilled talent in the technology industry, SAP Americas, a subsidiary of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), today announced the launch of Veterans to Work. The new employment program will train and certify U.S. veterans on database and technology, analytics, and enterprise mobility solutions from SAP. Though this program, SAP will provide 1,000 veterans full scholarships over the next 12 months in order to help them launch promising IT careers while allowing SAP and its partner ecosystem to enhance their own technology workforce.

Recent government figures show joblessness at 9.7 percent for post-Sept. 11 veterans, with 19.9 percent of female veterans within that group out of work.1 Meanwhile, as a result of strong demand for SAP products and services, the company estimates that SAP customers and partners will need tens of thousands of professionals trained on SAP technology by 2015.

"Our goal is not to find one-time jobs for veterans," said Steve Lucas, executive vice president, Database & Technology, SAP. "We believe it is critical to provide deserving and qualified veterans the powerful technical tools they need to jump start a lifelong career in highly in-demand, innovative fields with significant potential for growth."

The first group of veterans started class this week in Texas. Within 12 months, SAP aims to train and certify 1,000 veterans in California, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Eventually the program will expand nationally through its online accessibility.

Following successful completion of the SAP training and certification program, SAP will help to connect veterans with partners and customers in the SAP ecosystem for valuable potential job opportunities. These companies include Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte and HP. Yoh, a technology staffing agency, partners with SAP to place the graduated veterans in technology career fields.

"America's veterans have demonstrated a strong sense of ethics, dedication and the ability to operate under pressure, among other sought-after qualities for the private sector, including the technology industry," said Lt. Col. Kevin Schmiegel (Ret.), executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program. "Initiatives such as SAP's Veterans to Work program enable corporations to tap this underutilized talent pool while giving back to the service community."